My Friend James: Teachers

Before we dive into James’ strong feelings about controlling our tongues in chapter 3, verses 1-12, I’d like to pause and reflect on his advice about leadership.

James 3:1 [NKJV] My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

The Greek word means “an instructor” and is used for one who teaches concerning the things of God and the duties of man.

It is translated “Master” and used as a title for Jesus in His time of ministry [See Matthew 8:19; 9:11; 12:38 for examples]. So, being a teacher is not a negative thing. It is simply something that comes with a warning.

In a couple of places, it implies “one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so”.

Hebrews 5:12 [NKJV] shows us that we all ought to be progressing to the point where we are able to be teachers of others: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need [someone] to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

In Romans 2:17-24, Paul goes into great detail about the Jewish leaders who are bad teachers because they have a “form of knowledge” [verse 20] and teach the law while being themselves breakers of the law. He ends with this indictment: For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written. [Rom 2:24 NKJV]

And therein lies the issue with being a teacher: Our examples must follow our teachings, or we blaspheme the name of God.

This is important advice to those who would be teachers, preachers, and pastors in the church today. We should not be teaching in a manner that implies that we are sinless ourselves. We must show humility. We must be willing to admit our mistakes and apologize. We must be honest with our struggles. And, most of all, we must be showing a passion for growth and change.

In that light, we should be warry of forbidding sinners from attending church or condemning a particular type of sin (one we don’t struggle with) as though it were more egregious than others. Sin is sin and all sin requires the sacrifice of Jesus. [See Romans 2:17-24 for details about this point.]

And be ready for persecution from other leaders or would-be leaders who think you are not being strict enough with your fellow brethren, especially if you are teaching love and mercy and showing great patience and compassion for sinners. Jesus was persecuted and warned that the leaders that followed His example should expect the same. Matthew 10:24 [KJV] The disciple is not above [his] master,[G1320] nor the servant above his lord.

Most important to keep in mind is the judgement that leaders will receive from God. Too often leadership positions, like preaching or teaching, are considered rewards or privileges given to those who either suck up to the higher leaders or act like a “strong man” until others cower to them. This can be women too. I’ve seen it.

Romans 2:23 [ NKJV] 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

James wants us to understand that the position of teacher/preacher comes with serious responsibilities and potential consequences if we take it lightly or use it as an opportunity to “lord it over” others by word or deed. We must be like the Perfect Lamb of God: a lover of the people. We must teach with humility and grace and ensure that whatever we teach is biblically sound.

It takes time and effort to be this type of teacher. Not many are willing to put in the work required to be that humble, loving, and knowledgeable teacher. Therefore, not many should take on the risks and responsibilities of that role.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Mercy's Place

In James 2:13, sandwiched between the lesson about the sin of partiality and the connection between faith and works is this gem from our friend James: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

The first sentence in this verse is reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Mattew 7:1-2 [NKJV] 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Judgement and mercy appear together is several scriptures, including Matthew 23:23 [KJV] “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

We just read that both mercy and judgement are “weightier matters of the law”. They are both important components to be remembered.

We know that we will be judged. James 2:12 tells us to act as those who know we will be judged.

Psalm 86:5 [NKJV] 5 For You, Lord, [are] good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

But in verse 13 James tells us the mercy triumphs over judgement. How so?

Mercy wins or triumphs because the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God pays for all sin. Sin requires judgement, and the judgement upon all sin is death. Upon repentance, mercy is applied to that sin, negating the judgement of death.  

Then, if mercy triumphs over judgement, why do we need to act as those who know we will be judged? This question is similar to the one we find in Romans 6:14-16 [NKJV] 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin [leading] to death, or of obedience [leading] to righteousness?

Precisely because the precious blood of Jesus results in mercy triumphing over the judgement that we deserve do to sin, we seek to live a sinless life. We seek to live a sinless life not so that we can receive God’s abundant mercy [See Numbers 14:18; Psalms 86:5, 15] but because of that abundant mercy – because His mercy has already triumphed over judgement.

Just like this verse about mercy is sandwiched between discussion of the sin of partiality and a outline of how works demonstrate our faith, God’s mercy stands between the judgement we deserve due to sin and the faithful life we live due to that mercy.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Uh, oh! Works!

Martin Luther famously called the book of James an “epistle of straw”, specifically because of its strong support of good works being required as evidence of faith. So, as we come to James 2:14-26, James, our friend and half-brother of Jesus, tells us that faith alone is not enough to keep us spiritually alive.

James 2:26 [ESV] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Do you want your faith to be dead? Of course not. Since the Holy scriptures do not contract themselves, how do we align “faith without works is dead” with Ephesians 2:8 [ESV] “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

James fully explains himself by using two important examples.

1.      Brothers and sisters in need.

James 2:15-16 [ESV] 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

God clearly expects us to do something when we have the means to do so, rather than just sending “thoughts and prayers”. Matthew 25:31-46 supports the link between doing for others and being a faith filled follower of Jesus.

2.      Abraham

James 2:21-23 [ESV] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God.

Abraham’s faith caused him to act on the thing God told him to do. Just like our faith should cause us to act. If you are a believer in following the great commandment to “love the Lord, your God with all your heart and with all our soul and with all your mind” and the second to “love your neighbor as yourself”, you should be led by the spirit to prove that love by doing – by serving both God and man.

Faith is the Fearless Active Intimate Traveling of Hope, from your Head to your Toes, that Ignights our Actions and Feelings to prove its presence. Faith moves mountains [Matt. 17:20]. It also moves believers.  

The scripture that many call the “great commission”: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” [Mark 16:15 ESV] is action oriented. “Go”, He says. There is no room for just believing that the gospel needs to be preached. Our feet must be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” [Eph. 6:16]. Gospel preaching is an action that shows both love and obedience.

James 2:26 [ESV] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Works do not save us. Works cannot save us. Works will not save us. We cannot “feed the hungry and visit the sick” our way into salvation. 1 Corinthians 13 shows us that good works can be done without underlying love and be of no effect on our spiritual journey. The one and only work required for our salvation was the work of Jesus Christ in being the Perfect Lamb and Savior. This work of His is what saves us.

Jesus’ faith in the Father and the Father’s plan for the salvation of mankind bled out from his hands, feet, and side.

Faith without works is dead because the faith God seeks from us is an active one. “Works” is not a dirty word. Works don’t save us. But good works pour out of the faithful children who live by faith like rivers of living water to bring hope and peace to a hurting world, and to preach an active gospel of love that leads sinners to an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father whose greatest work is to take us from lifeless dirt to eternal, spiritual life.  

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

James 2:14-26 [ESV] 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

My Friend James: Enduring in Trials

Recall that James begins his book by saying that we should “count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds”. Let’s all just acknowledge that finding joy in trials is a big ask. Finding joy in the death of a loved one or loss of a job or major health issue requires the help of the Holy Spirit to focus on the goal of trials, which, as James tells us, is that we become “perfect and complete”.

James circles back to trials beginning in verse 12. James 1:12 [NLT] “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

The Greek word used for “endure” here can mean “bear, suffer, persevere, not recede or flee”. That sounds more like a reasonable request for a person facing a trial = just hang in there and get through it. Don’t give up. Jesus uses the same Greek word in Matthew 10:22, where He says, “And ye shall be hated of all for My name’s sake. But he that endures to the end shall be saved.” [NKJV] He uses that same word again in Matthew 24:13, after giving the first segment of His end-time prophecy.

We read encouragement to endure from other New Testament writers as well. I Corinthians 13:7 tells us that love “endures all things”.  1 Peter 2:18 tells us it is commendable to endure wrongful grief and suffering we face because of being servants of God.

The word “endures” appears 64 times in the Bible (in the NKJV) across both the Old and New Testaments, including multiple times in the Old Testament where we are told that God’s truth (Psalm 100:5), goodness (Psalm 52:1), righteousness (Psalm 111:3), dominion (Psalm 145:13) and mercy (Psalm 106:1: 107:1) endure.

Psalm 107:1 [NKJV] Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever.

When put I am thankful that these things of God – truth, goodness, and righteousness – ensure forever. But I am most grateful that His mercy endures. David must have felt that way too, because I counted 32 times in the book of Psalms where it says some version of “His mercy endures forever”.

It is comforting to know that His mercy endures through all that I put Him through with my sins and struggles. I am grateful that it is impossible to dry up that well of mercy no matter how often I have to humbly repent. Let’s face it, human beings have been a trial to our loving Father since the beginning when Adam and Eve chose the forbidden fruit of the tree of life and had to be expelled from the beautiful, peaceful Garden of Eden. The first time we see the word “grieved” applied to the Lord is in Genesis 6:6, where He was “grieved in His heart” that he had made man on the earth. Ouch.

Psalm 107:1 [NKJV] Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever.

But He is there with us, through all our lives, enduring, loving, watching, helping, forgiving and so much more. While enduring trials is touch for we humans, I am grateful that our God endures with us through it all as He works with us toward our achieving that “perfect and complete” state that my friend James has promised will be the result of our trials.

How about you? What enduring part of God’s character and truth do you most appreciate when you are going through trials or just trying to live life as a new creation in the Lord?

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James – “If the Lord wills”

Dear sisters, I am skipping ahead a bit in James today, because one of my brothers passed away suddenly on November 27, just days after we celebrated Thanksgiving together.

James 4:13-15 [NKJV] 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what [will happen] tomorrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you [ought] to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

Most poignant to me is this: “[Life] is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”.

Henry “Chip” Schmidt III was 61 years old. He died nine years short of the “threescore and ten” we might expect. It wasn’t enough time for his only child who is just 19. It wasn’t enough time for friends and family who will mourn him. It was not enough time for him to make all the life and spiritual changes he was working so hard to accomplish.

He was working on refurbishing an antique a chair for me. He didn’t have enough time to finish it. After his death, I picked it up unfinished and will complete the refurbishing myself. It’ll always remind me of Chip and his love of woodworking.

Romans 8:28 [ESV] reminds us that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”.

From my perspective, the last year had been one of great and wonderful changes for Chip and I am glad that I lived to see his success and to rejoice with him. I know he was still struggling with some life changes. But isn’t that our perpetual state as humans, especially those of us who love God and seek to walk “according to His purpose”?

Romans 8:28 [ESV] reminds us that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”.

It is hard to see the sudden and untimely death of a loved one as something that is according to His purpose. But we don’t know the mind of God, do we? What I do know is that Chip love God. I also know that he struggled and now that struggle is over. Those of us left behind are filled with sorrow and, for believing friends and family, also with hope for the future that we are promised.

Bottom line and what I want to leave with you today, sweet sisters, is two scriptures about the future that our Loving Father predestined for His children and this earth:

Revelation 21:4 [KJV] “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” I look forward to the day when there is no more reason to cry, especially over the death of a loved one.

Isaiah 11:9 [NKJV] “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.” I very much look forward to the day when there is no longer anyone who doesn’t know God.

Whatever steps we face along the way toward this time of peace and love, and knowledge of God, we can be comforted in the fact that the coming of this future is exactly the “according to His purpose” that all of life’s risks and challenges and rewards are pushing humanity towards.

Be blessed, sweet sisters, for we know the purpose and will of God for us all is a glorious, pain and sorrow-free world, filled with the knowledge of God’s deep, abiding love for His creation.

I’d welcome your thoughts. You can write me in the chat or email me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

– My Friend James: Rich Vs Poor

James hits the “rich versus poor” comparison and guidelines several times. He offers both instructions and warnings.

In James 1:9-11, he mentions that the lowly brother should rejoice in that he is exalted. How are the lowly exalted? I would say because God gives them sonship and a future of hope, leadership, and glory that they don’t have now and maybe can’t even hope for in this life due to the way society and governments work, or due to health issues, natural disasters, or something else outside their control.

And let’s be clear, Jesus said there would always be poor people among the people of God [See Matthew 26:11]. So, it isn’t like being called is an agreement that you’ll now overcome all factors keeping you from being rich in this life. The health and wealth gospel is not a valid way to look at God’s promises for this life. But that is a subject for another time.

The rich, says James, are to rejoice that God has humbled them. How is that? Well, for one, they have the same hope as poor people – their future is not better because they are rich now. Second, they become slaves of God and Christ, just like poor people. God does not look at them differently because they are rich in this life. A rich person does not get a pass on learning to be humble and to serve God, the church, and our fellow man. In fact, all this may be a bit tougher on those who have had great things in this life. [See Matthew 19:24]

Here is how James explains it: the rich need to understand the very temporary nature of what they have now. It’s as long-lasting as a flower. In other words, pretty short-lived compared to eternity. And just in case the rich didn’t get that point quickly, James spells it out in some detail in verse 11. James 1:11 [NKJV] “For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So, the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

It is true in society, and has been all throughout time, that the rich are favored over the poor. Their success is credited to their business acumen, education, intelligence, etc. The rich are more likely to be asked their opinions on all matters – not just on business or money. They get access to leaders and opportunities to influence government that isn’t available to everyday people. This is true even in the USA where we literally profess that “all men are created equal”.

[Mar 12:43-44 NKJV] 43 So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

James cautions strongly against this worldly attitude toward the rich – this favoring of the rich over poor – being allowed to infiltrate the body of Christ, spending the first 13 verses of James 2 on that issue.

Yet, I have seen it happen. In fact, it sometimes seems that the Golden Rule has been changed to “He who has the gold makes the rules” among some Christian congregations. James very frankly points out that this is a sin – no different from adultery or murder. James 2:9 [NKJV] “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

Sweet sisters, we need to be careful about treating the rich differently from the poor, especially showing any partial treatment to those rich among our congregations. If you are rich, congratulations, use your riches to serve God, His people, and the world. This will be praised by our Father. Rejoice that you too are now a humble servant of God. Understand the role of God’s blessing and mercy in all the good things you have in this life. Do not leverage your wealth to gain stature in the church.

If you are poor, understand that this is not because God favors others. He loves you just as much. He offers you sonship in His Kingdom, forgiveness of sins, mercy, hope, etc. exactly as He offers it to the rich. They do not have an advantage when it comes to salvation or future rewards. Your smaller works might even be given greater reward because they are more of a sacrifice – like the widow of Mark 12:41-44.

Rich or poor, we are beloved children of God, with the same hope and future, and that is how we must look at ourselves and each other.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Wisdom

One of the things I enjoy about the book of James is the way he frequently connects seemingly disparate thoughts.

Today, I want to talk about James1:5-8 – his teaching on wisdom. James 1:5-8 [ESV] “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

So, after opening with encouragement to have joy in trials because it leads to steadfastness, his finishes with “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” [James 1:4] He then picks up in verse 5 with “If any of you lack wisdom…” revealing his flow of thoughts, I believe.

James connects the two thoughts further by pointing out that trials first lead to faith (and faith to steadfastness) and that if you want wisdom, you must ask in faith. This guides me to think of trials as the way to develop enough faith to ask God for wisdom or any other thing I need.

We’ll circle back to asking in faith, but let’s first spend a moment considering that we have a god “who gives generously to all”. The KJV says, “gives to all (men) liberally”. This word translated “liberally” is also translated simply, openly, frankly and sincerely. Each one of these 5 translations creates a beautiful picture of our Father who seeks to give to us, not stingily, but liberally; not grudgingly but sincerely, not with ulterior motives but frankly; not secretly, but openly; not via some complex strategy, but simply.

Luke 11: 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

James says that not only does God give liberally or generously, but also that He “upbraideth not” (KJV) or “without reproach” (ESV). God does not reproach or revile us when we come to Him with our requests. He is ready and willing to give generously. Think of Luke 11:11-13. Our Heavenly Father is better than a human parent at fulfilling the requests of His children.

There is a prerequisite. We must ask in faith. James 1:6-8 [ESV] “6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” To ask for something while doubting in your heart and mind that God will answer your needs willingly, liberally (v. 5) and as a loving Father (Luke 11:11-13) is to be of two minds (double minded) and inconsistent.

God does not want us to lack anything. He is ready, willing and able to give, especially when we ask for the good gift of wisdom. Ask for wisdom, sweet sisters. Ask in faith – leaning on the faith developed through out trials. Wisdom is a good gift that the Father wishes to give you.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Joy

James 1:2 [ESV] 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds

If you don’t already know it from previous blogs, the book of James is my favorite book of the Bible. I have been working off and on for years trying to memorize it thanks to a Beth Moore Bible study on the book. So, today, I start my blog series on my friend James.

This is not going to be an exhaustive study on the book, nor a look into the background of James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ [James 1:1].

After a brief intro, James launches into how and why we should meet trials with joy.

James 1:2-4 [ESV] 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The apostles themselves set an example in this very thing. Acts 5:40-41 [ESV] “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

Given the trial of being beaten for preaching the Gospel, they rejoiced. I am definitely not there yet.

I have rejoiced to see the end of a trial and to have survived it, but I don’t think I have ever “counted it joy” when I first met a trial along the path of life. And maybe that isn’t exactly what James is asking us to do here.

Perhaps the key to the joy of meeting a trial is in coming out on the other side with growth in faith, finding that we are more steadfast and having gotten closer to perfection and completion for the work that God is doing within us.

Acts 5 does tell us that the apostles rejoiced after the beating, when it was over. They did rejoice at going through it – at being counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. I am not saying they rejoiced because it was over, only when it was over.

Jesus set the same example. We read that He pleaded with the Father to take away the trial of beating and death on the stake. Afterwards, I’m sure the angels in heaven, the Father and Jesus rejoiced.

I am sure that the Father, Jesus and the angels also rejoice when they see each of us go through a trial and come out on the other side stronger in faith and more confident in our own steadfastness.

Like weightlifting, the more we work the greater the weight we can bear. Weightlifting creates tiny tears in the muscles we use. It is the overnight repair that builds the bulk and strength we are seeking while lifting weights.

So, too, our work to make it through trials may leave tiny tears (or maybe large ones), in our bodies, finances and lives, but the bulk up our faith and steadfastness, moving us toward the goal of perfecting God’s work in us.

So, sweet sisters, when you meet a trial, choose to count it as joy for the godly work it brings you. Even if we can only say, “when this is done I will count it as joy for the work God is doing in me and for my hope of future glory with Jesus in the Kingdom.” I don’t think brother James is asking anything more of us.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Why Millennials (Gen Y), Gen Z and Gen Alpha may be better Christians

Let me just put it out there, I am a Boomer and I think that the generations from Millennial to Gen. A may just make better Christians than we Boomers.

 I’m sure you have heard a lot about Gen’s Y, Z and A, mostly from the Boomer generation, that isn’t good.

 People love to analyze and complain about the Gen’s Y, Z and A young people (although the top of Gen Y are approaching 40). I hear it at work and at church. Possibly, one of the most often frequent complaint I hear is that they all expect participation trophies!

Matthew 10:42 [NIV] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

But I say: salvation is the ULTIMATE participation trophy.

 Salvation is free, unmerited pardon. It is forgiveness that you did not earn and cannot earn. Gen’s Y, Z and A, remember when you played T-ball and everybody got a trophy just because they put the uniform on and showed up, even if they never made it to bat? Even if you struck out every time. That is exactly how salvation through Jesus works. Jesus died for you. Salvation is yours. All you have to do is show up (accept Him as Savior), suit up (get baptized) and pick up your trophy. Yes, good works should be a result of your saved life, but works are not salvation.

 Again, salvation is free, undeserved pardon. You cannot earn it no matter how hard you work and how much you serve.

 Sadly, many of us from other generations struggle with feeling “worthy.” We struggle with trying to earn salvation by works. We sometimes feel we need to “do more” so God will love us more. We should be more like Gen’s Y, Z and A, and accept our participation trophy of salvation through Jesus.

 Another complaint I here is that Gen’s Y, Z and A  think they should be rewarded for every little thing they do.

 But I say: Rewards for every little thing you do is EXACTLY what God offers. You do not have to do spectacular works or great miracles. Check out Matthew 10:42 [NIV] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. You read that right. You will get a reward for giving someone a cup of cold water!

 Sometimes, we in the older generations spend too much time beating ourselves up about the fact that we cannot do much – even if it is due to poor health, job loss or other financial problems, or old age. We forget that anything – ANYTHING - we do for LOVE of our fellow man and/or for love of God and/or for appreciation of all God has given will result in rewards in the Kingdom.

Gen’s Y, Z and A, you’ve got rewards coming for everything little thing you do in Jesus’ name. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

 Another complaint I hear is that Gen’s Y, Z and A don’t want to “pay their dues” – don’t want to take the low level jobs and work their way up. They feel like they should be given real responsibility the minute they show up.

 But I say: Praise God that they do! We have enough people in the church who don’t feel they are worthy enough, smart enough, knowledgeable enough, have enough time for, or are called to preach the gospel or witness for Jesus.

 Daniel certainly did not feel that way. He and his friends were young (some say in their late teens) when they jumped right into making waves and standing out as captives in a strange land. They spoke up (yes, respectfully). There was no religious authority and no parents to tell them what to do. So they asked God and He answered.

 Gen’s Y, Z and A, I say don’t wait your turn. If all you know for sure is that Jesus died for our sins, go ahead and preach it. The church (that is the body of Christ or ecclesia – not a 401c3) needs you. People living in darkness need to know what you know, even if it is only a few things. Just make sure you do stay connected to God so you can keep growing and will then have more to share.

 Sadly, sometimes, we in the older generations let leaders convince us that we are still not ready to preach, teach or lead. We let ourselves be convinced that there are books and booklets to read and other hoops to jump through before we can be given permission to witness to our community. To the Gen’s Y, Z and A, I say, preach what you know and keep learning!

 Finally, some complain that Gen’s Y, Z and A they want to do “meaningful” work – they want to know why what they are doing matters. Some complain that you cannot convince a Gen Y, Z or A that handing out song books and straightening chairs is appropriate service for them.

 But I say: HALLELUJAH! Praise God that Gen’s Y, Z and A want to do something more than hand out song books and straighten chairs. The church needs people who are passionate about making a difference in the world. The Bible is full of examples of young people making a difference doing real, meaningful and gutsy things at all sorts of ages. Again, I encourage you to read about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and also about Esther – they were all probably teenagers.

 We have plenty of folks who are willing to hand out song books and straighten chairs, even though they are capable of so much more. Maybe the older generations have bought into the fact that the “real work” is done by the ministry and broadcasters on the church sponsored programs.

 I believe that too many of us in the older generations have accepted that we are just supposed to pray, pay (tithes) and live good lives. We are content to do our week-day jobs without lying or stealing, and to leave the preaching to those ordained to it.

 Gen’s Y, Z and A: Do you want to preach the Gospel, feed the flock or help the poor? Figure out how you can and go for it. Don’t wait for permission. We older folks may get easily exhausted by your passion to make a difference. Try not to let us get in your way.

What we older folks can learn from Gen’s Y, Z and A: 

Ø  Salvation is yours. Get excited about and thankful for that participation trophy. It is yours for just showing up.

Ø  Great excited about rewards for everything you do – even if it is “only” making cards or praying for people. There are rewards for every little thing you do.

Ø  Share what you know now. Don’t wait to know everything.

Ø  Don’t wait your turn behind older generations (or the hierarchy of leadership) who don’t want to turn the reigns over to you or you may die waiting in line. If there isn’t a job for you, create one.

 What do you think of that? I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Part 3 - Mind the Gap - Conclusion

If you read my last two blogs, you know that I covered “Minding the Gap” from two perspectives. First, I spoke about standing in the gap for this world – that is advocating for the world with God, our loving Father. For the second “Mind the Gap” blog, I talked about watching for the potential of gaps in our own lives between who we say we are and how we live our lives.

To wrap up our focus on “Minding the Gap”, I want to talk about a Christians work toward creating a gap in this word so that the light of God can shine through.

The very first command of God in the Genesis message of creation is this: Genesis 1:3-4 [NKJV] 3 “Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”  Verses 14-19 tell us that God organized the light, giving greater light to the day and lesser light to the night. Even the night would not be without lights in the heavens. The lights of the night – the moon and stars – have guided travelers throughout time – whether sailors on the oceans or the magi seeking the baby Jesus. [Matthew 2:2]

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Just like He knew the physical earth needed light, God, the Father, knows this world is in spiritual darkness and needs spiritual light. That’s where we come in.

2 Corinthians 4:6 [NKJV] “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Note that God first shines light into us through Jesus. Then He asks us to shine light into the world. But we don’t have light of our own.

When He walked this earth, Jesus was God’s lamp of light. [John 5:35] Now that He is back up in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, that spiritual light that God commands is the light of the gospel of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4 [NKJV] “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” [Emphasis mine]

And we are the vessels of that light – the lamps – to hold and use and expose the world to that light. Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV] 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I enjoy watching sunrise, especially over the ocean or gulf, because then you see the brilliant light of day pushing back the dark of night and it is intensified by the reflection of that light on the water.

Again, when it comes to the light of God, we are not the light, but, like the water, we reflect the light out into the world. This is our work: reflecting light into darkness, until the Light returns to dwell with men.

Revelation 22:5 [NIV] “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Until then, we are His tools for spiritual light. Where do gaps come in? Well, this world is covered in clouds and darkness because the god of this world is all about skulking around in the dark. His works are done in darkness and his children are the lovers of darkness.

We don’t condemn the children of darkness, because we were there too before the light of the gospel was shed on us.

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Thessalonians 5:5 [KJV] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Instead, we to work to bring light to them. We are to create a gap in the darkness through our works of light, such as preaching the gospel, loving others [1 John 2:9], and helping the needy. [See Matthew 25:31-46] I think that helping the needy is the best way to shine light into this dark world. We can listen to and comfort the hurting. We can provide food to the hungry. We can pray for healing for the sick. We can tell any and everyone who will listen about the love of God. Read the Gospel accounts of the works of Jesus to see how often He healed, fed and comforted as part of His ministry.

God sent Jesus to be the light. He created a huge gap in that dark world. But now He is back in heaven and it is our job to do the works that create a gap in the darkness for the light of God to shine through.

Sweet sisters, let us always remember to stand in the gap for this world – not calling down God’s wrath upon it, but seeking His mercy on behalf of this suffering world. Let us be sure there is never a gap between who we say we are or what we say be believe or who say God is, and how we speak and act. And, finally, let us do the work of opening up a gap in the world’s gloom, pain, misery and darkness by living as the reflected light of our Father – the light that brings joy and happiness for our fellow earth dwellers.

Let’s always mind the gap.

I welcome your comments and questions. I’d like to hear if you can think of any other analogies for minding the gap. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Mind the Gap, Part 2

Recall that in my last blog I said, “If you have ever ridden a subway train in any country, you’ve seen the signs and heard the announcements to ‘mind the gap’ when entering and exiting the train. These warnings refer to the gap between the platform and the train, which is a trip hazard and has the potential catch a heal or stroller wheel and get you stuck for a bit.”

I spoke about standing in the gap for this world. This time I want to talk about watching for the potential of gaps in our own lives between who we say we are and how we live our lives.

In Psalm 15, David asks the question, “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?”. And then he answers that question with notes on what kind of person can be a “tabernacle dweller”.

Let’s start by looking at the latter part of verse 4. Psalm 15:4 [NKJV] He [who] swears to his own hurt and does not change.

One who dwells with God (for that is the definition of a tabernacle dweller – a holy hill dweller) is someone who backs up her words with actions.

Wes and I watch the series “Flash”. The “Team Flash” folks do their best to be good, do good, and save others from evil. But they are always saying things like “I will keep you safe, I promise”. Quite often, circumstances conspire to make that statement a lie. It reminds me of James 5:12.

James 5:12 [NLT] But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

James warns against swearing to something, from the standpoint of the fact that Christians need to be people who don’t need to swear to be believed. As a Christian, my reputation for honoring my commitments needs to be such that a “yes” or “no” is enough.

James also outlines another reason why we should not swear to something. James 4:13-15 [ESV] 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

We need to acknowledge that, as Christians, it is God’s will that establishes the path of our lives, and not our own plans. Paul understood that God’s path or plan may not be the same as what he wanted.

1 Corinthians 4:19 [NKJV] But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

Of course, the deadliest gap would be a gap between calling myself a Christian but living so that my words or actions show a gap between that claim and reality.

We all sin and fall short. So, Christianity isn’t never sinning, it is continual progress toward better representing Jesus on this earth and it is owning and admitting when we do trip up, showing humility and asking forgiveness – not just of God, but also anyone we have hurt or shown non-Christian behavior too (even if we didn’t hurt them).

Psalm 15:4 [NKJV] He [who] swears to his own hurt and does not change.

Psalm 15 shows us some other behaviors that either support our claims to dwell with God – to be Christian – or show a gap.

Psalm 15:1-5 [NKJV] 1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He [who] does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He [who] swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He [who] does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these [things] shall never be moved.

Honoring others who fear the Lord, walking uprightly and speaking truth are just a few of the items mentioned.

Jesus repeatedly talked about loving your neighbor and loving your enemies. In Matthew 25, He also outlined behaviors of His sheep who will get to enter the Kingdom. His response to “who will dwell in Your holy hill” is that it would be those who saw the physical needs of others and did their best to fill those needs.

These are the things we should consider when minding the gap between a claim to be a Christian and the actual words, deeds and commitments we make in our lives.

I’ll present my final thoughts on the theme of “Minding the Gap” in my next blog. Until then, I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Mind the Gap, Part 1

If you have ever ridden a subway train in any country, you’ve seen the signs and heard the announcements to “mind the gap” when entering and exiting the train. These warnings refer to the gap between the platform and the train, which is a trip hazard and has the potential catch a heal or stroller wheel and get you stuck for a bit.

Christians have some gap-minding to do as well.

Ezekiel 22:29-30 [KJV] 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

I believe that just as God sought someone to stand in the gap for the people of Israel during Ezekiel’s time, Christians are called to be the people who stand in the gap for the world today.

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up a hedge, and stand in the gap before Me…”

No gap-minder showed up for Israel, so God unleashed His indignation on them (verse 31).

What about we Christians today? Are we, as the people of God, standing the gap for a world filled with oppression and robbery – world that continually vexes (annoys, frustrates) the poorest and neediest among us? Or are we failing this world that needs us so desperately to advocate for mercy, even though it is worthy of the unleashing of God’s indignation upon it?

What does it look like to stand in the gap for this world?

It looks like pouring out love for them in prayers for mercy, peace and safety, rather than seeking the time of wrath and tribulation to punish them.

Far too many Christians today would be happy to see the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:31 [NKJV] "Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.”

Far too many, rather than having compassion on a world largely lost to sin, would seek to forbid sinners (at least certain types of sinners) from attending church or even refuse to bake them cakes or serve them in other ways.

Sisters, we are not called to judge this world. Luke 6:37 [NKJV] "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

We are called to show mercy. Matthew 5:7 [NKJV] “Blessed [are] the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”

The world needs a champion to stand in the gap that sin has created. This world needs an advocate, until the day it is willing to accept the Champion and Advocate of us all – Jesus – as Savior and King.

Ezekiel indicates that had someone been found to stand in the gap, Israel would have been spared.

Sweet sisters, will you be a gap-minder for this world? Will you be a prayer warrior for mercy? Will you plead for mercy, love, peace and patience to be poured out from the Father? Or will you leave this world to “fire of God’s wrath” and destruction?

I’ll continue the theme of standing in the gap in my next blog. Until then, I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

The Scarcity Doctrine

I recently listened to Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown. She talked about how the idea of scarcity creates a toxic environment. The idea that there is not enough - not enough jobs, social security, power, food, etc. to go around - creates a toxic environment in our country, politics and organizations. It is more than just being worried; it creates decision-making that is short-sighted and based on groundless fears.

We all know that political ads on both sides of any issue use this kind of strategy in an effort to motivate us to political action and to voting a certain way.

In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus encourages us to ask God for anything/everything, and to keep at it.

But this attitude of scarcity can affect our Christian walk too. I’ve been guilty of thinking that God has more important things on His mind that whatever is worrying me or causing me pain. Have you ever felt that God wouldn’t want to hear about your “minor” issue?

We are the children of God. 1 John 3:1 [NKJV] (first half) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” As a parent, I cannot imagine saying to my children, “this thing that is bothering you is not important to me”, whether that thing was an issue at school or a lost sock. God is an infinitely better Parent that I could hope to be.

The most toxic of a belief in spiritual scarcity would be to allow Satan to get us to believe that God has only enough love to lavish on a specific church or belief system.

James 1:5 [NKJV] tells a different story. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Two points to consider here: (1) God gives to “all men” and (2) God give “liberally”. This scripture is talking specifically about asking for wisdom, sure, but it is supported by what Jesus Himself outlined about the giving nature of our Father God in at least two places that I want to mention.

The first is Luke 11:9-13, where Jesus encourages us to ask God for anything/everything and keep at it.

The second is Matthe 5:43-48, where Jesus talks about loving our enemies as a way to be the children of our Father who, as verse 45 tells us, “Sends rain on the just and on the unjust'“. Note that Jesus isn’t just talking about sending rain on believers who where Jews or Greeks, but on those not even bothering to worship - the unjust.

Strong’s tells us that this word translated “unjust” means the following: unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen: — unjust, unrighteous.

God sends the blessing of rain to those who are flat out wicked, as well as those who might qualify themselves as just (although we know we are not, per Romans 3:23, unless we repent and are justified by Jesus’ blood).

The Father wants us to understand that He is a God of abundance. He has plenty of love to go around. His mercy is abundant. [See Numbers 14:18 and Psalm 86:15 for example.} He is able to pay attention to your stubbed toe and work stress, even while the world is facing war and famine and your family member is struggling with cancer.

The idea of spiritual scarcity is from Satan. We worship the God who sees [Gen. 16:13]. He is our Abundant God.

The Old Testament was Rough. Is the NT better?

I’ve been reading the Bible in chronological order for the past 10 months or so. Still making my way through the Old Testament (OT). Reading in chronological order of occurrences is great because you get a better idea of which prophets were contemporaries of which kings and you can better understand where books like Esther and Ruth (my favorite OT books) fit into the history of Israel.

Let me just say that I am super happy to be a New Testament (NT) believer.

Don’t get me wrong, it might have been interesting to be an Israelite during their times of obedience and prosperity - especially during Solomon’s reign when there was no war (although the taxes were apparently outrageous). But, even then, a daughter could be sold to pay off family debt and married off for political or financial gain, which doesn’t sound cool at all. And everything was always made from scratch. Literally, you grow the grain to grind into flour to make bread and your next sweater started out on the body of a sheep eating grass in your field. Give me my Door Dash, Walmart and Target pickup, and Amazon delivery.

We read the OT to learn the history of mankind, especially of God’s chosen people. We learn about why, even with God as national leader and His perfect laws as the laws of the land, obedience does not come easy to human beings. They went through famines, wars and plagues. Justice was often swift and deadly - eye for eye, stoning for adultery, and so forth. The system of animal sacrifices had to be physically taxing, sweaty, stinky and dirty work for the priests of the day.

Philippians 2:13 [NKJV] “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure”.

But we also learn about the commitment to responsibility and care for neighbor that was inherent in the statutes and judgments outlined by God to the nation of Israel, including putting a wall or fence around your flat roof so no one would fall off and being commanded to help your enemy’s donkey out of a ditch.

Everything about the OT leads us to understand the need for a Savior to rid of us sin, a Perfect Lamb one-time sacrifice for all sins forever, and the Holy Spirit to help our obedience to have staying power through real change in character.

So, while the NT typically requires less “blood, sweat and tears” associated with sacrificing a perfectly good lamb from your flock, it requires more of us than even the most loving OT regulations.

This is the point of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:21-48, where He begins with “you have heard it said (or said of old)” and then goes on to ramp up the standards for our interactions with one another.

So, perhaps the Israelites would look us and the NT Christian standards as being “rough” compared to theirs. They were told to love their enemies and do good to them (See Exodus 23:4 for example). However, it was limit to action, not a change in heart. In Matthew 5, Jesus calls us to be a changed person - to change our outlook and our hearts, letting the change be reflected in action.

The point of both the OT and the NT instructions can, I believe, be summed up in Matthew 5:44-45 [NKJV] 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Or, as I might say in a more modern vernacular “You are a child of God. Act like it!” Acting like a child of/the people God is the number one thing that the Father wanted of Israel and that He wants from us today.

Unless you are a very different person than I am, you will have certain behaviors and thoughts, habits and sins, that require spiritually bloody, sweaty, and tear-filled efforts, reminiscent of the work of the sacrifices of the OT.

The work of getting rid of sin is rough. But it is what we are called to do. We have the history of the OT to guide us, the words and examples of Jesus to help us better understand the requirements, Jesus’ sacrifice to wipe the slate clean and start again each day, and the help of the Holy Spirit to give us the “will and the way” to real change. Philippians 2:13 [NKJV] “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure”.

I have had my rough patches getting rid of sin, and I understand that the struggle is real. But I am very appreciative of being born in and called in this age and not the OT times, for a variety of reasons. I look forward to comparing notes with the OT and early NT people of God in the future Kingdom.

How about you? What do you think, sweet sisters? Would you rather have been a part of the OT people of God?

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Forgive THAT enemy??!!

Luke 6:27 [NIV] “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you”

Of all the hallmarks of Christianity, loving our enemies might be one of the most unique…and taxing of Jesus’ expansion of the requirements for being an obedient child of God. However, I think most, if not all of us “seasoned” Christians could manage that from afar. But that I mean that it seems to me that it is a whole lot easier to forgive an enemy that you don’t have to deal with – speak to, be around – after the forgiving is done.

But how would it feel to have your enemy repent and start attending church with you? Worse, what if he was ordained and now had the authority to preach Christian love to you? That’s exactly what happened to the early New Testament church.

1 John 3:2 [NKJV] Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

In the book of Acts, we read about the martyr, Stephen, who forgave those we were stoning him, just before he died. That is an amazing testimony of forgiveness and love.

Acts 7:57-60 [NIV] 57 this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him (Stephen) 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Let me emphasize this point: those stoning Stephen laid their garments at the feet of Saul, who then continued on his rampage against Christians. And then we read in Acts 9 that Saul repented. This persecutor of the sheep was about to ask to be accepted into the fold. How would you fare if God sent you as the first emissary to welcome Saul into the ecclesia?  

Acts 9:11-14 [NIV] The Lord told him (that is Ananias), “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

God sent Ananias to Saul to be the first person to treat Saul as a brother and welcome him into the family of God. Ananias, understandably, felt the need to remind the Lord of just who this Saul was and what he was doing for a living. But then Ananias went and did as God commanded.

Acts 9:26 [NIV] 26 When he (Ananias) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. Don’t judge our Christian brothers and sisters from this era too harshly, Saul had given them plenty of good reasons to be wary. And it isn’t like there had be decades since Saul, now Paul, had been involved in persecution. He was on his way to do more damage when the Lord stopped Paul in his tracks.

Paul needed a gutsy intercessor. Someone whose love could overcome not only his own fear and doubt, but also that of the church. Enter Barnabas.

Acts 9:27-30 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

With the intervention of one bold man, Barnabas, the church did accept the new Paul as a true preacher of the Gospel. But you have to know that for a long time, wherever he went, Paul was rubbing elbows with and preaching to the acquaintances, and even friends or family of many whom he had persecuted.

He had been the enemy of these people. Now, he spoke to them from the scriptures with authority. Even those who had suffered at his hand, or who had a family member who did, had to forgive Paul and, not just do good to him, but treat him as a brother in Christ, AND accept instruction on how to be a better follower of Christ from this man who might have persecuted their own friends and family! I cannot imagine that was easy.

But before we say this seems like a bit much, we should consider the ultimate example of and loving your enemy, doing good to them and accepting them as brothers or sisters in the family of God. That example is, of course, Jesus, our Messiah. Not only did He die for you and me, He died by our own hands (through the Roman soldiers working on our behalf), because every sin I ever committed and every sin you ever committed required this death – caused it. Therefore, when He forgave those doing the work of crucifixion at the time of His death, He was forgiving us too.

Let’s keep in mind that He died for us long before we were born, let alone repented of our sins. So, we do not have the right to expect repentance or changed behavior before we forgive others. That was not Jesus’ example.

Of course, there are circumstances in this life where it would still be best not to be around that person who placed themselves as your enemy, even after they have repented, but that doesn’t negate what has to be in our hearts for that person.

Even if you and I never face this type of thing – never have to accept, respect, welcome into congregation someone who has sought to kill us in this life – we know that if God’s will is done (His will that all none perish and all come to repentance – 2 Peter 3:9), in the Kingdom we will serve with someone who had done us some harm.

So, who is the worst person you can imagine having to forgive and WELCOME into the family of God? Joseph Stalin? Adolph Hitler or Heinrich Himmler? Pol Pot? The priests who preyed on innocent young boys and remain unpunished? Those who flew into the twin towers on 9/11? A family member who molested you? A mate who cheated?

Perhaps it will not be so much of a struggle for us when we been welcomed into the Kingdom. Why do I think that? Because of what is says in 1 Johne 3:2.

1 John 3:2 [NKJV] Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

We shall be like Him. Jesus died for me long before I repented and began the struggle to act more like Him. He advocates for me every day, even though I caused His death – even though today’s sins still require His blood. The Father forgives me today and accepts me back into His presence. He considers me family, for all my faults and repeated sins. And we will be like Him when we become spirit beings.

So, for now, we have to practice loving our enemies. We must be like Barnabas, welcoming them into our congregations and we must practice the love of God toward them, even if the hurt is very recent – as the early New Testament church had to do with Paul. As Jesus and the Father do with us.

I pray to have more of His forgiving and welcoming heart toward all repentant sinners. I hope you will pray that too.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me right now in the chat room or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Becoming more childlike

When we think of becoming childlike, we often think of Matthew 18:1-4 [ESV] Where Jesus calls a child to Him and says, (verse 4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

We think of being childlike, we think of being as humble as a child and that is certainly important. There is so much that we can learn from children. Childlike humility is not the only thing.

In Luke 18:16-17 [NIV] we find another childlike trait we can emulate. In verse 17, Jesus says, Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

We are to receive the kingdom like a little child. How do little children receive things? Well, until they learn that some things are more valuable than others and that they should want the more valuable things, children receive all gifts with equal appreciation. Whether it is a $500 remote control jeep they can ride around the neighborhood in or a $2.00 bottle of bubble solution and a cheap wand.

By contrast, adults tend to want the best gifts, even when it comes to the spiritual ones. God does not rank gifts. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 12 He says they are all essential to the health of the spiritual body. But humans rank the gifts. The gift of prophesy is certainly given more weight in many church cultures than simple, steadfast faith.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

However, after chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians wraps up with 31, which says, “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.”, chapter 13 specifically says that knowing prophesy doesn’t matter if love is not the motivator of it. Love is the more excellent way than any gift we might covet.

One more way to be like a child is to be joyful. Unless they are in dire circumstances, children are typically able to find joy in all activities. They eat with relish and joy. They find joy in coloring, swinging, running around, playing on the playground, jumping in puddles and in music – just to name a few. They don’t need fancy things to find joy.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5]. We were meant to have childlike joy. The word “joy” appears 165 times in the Bible.

So, we must be humble like a child, and we must receive all gifts with equal appreciation, just like children do and we should be joyful like children.

Recently, for our Friday night online program, Start Our Sabbath, I gave a presentation about being childlike and asked the viewers to offer additional qualities of children that we should immolate – additional ways we should be childlike.

Here are some things they came up with:

·       Children are curious. They ask questions and really want to know the answers.

·       Children are forgiving. They don’t hold grudges.

·       Innocence is a childlike trait.

The Bible counsels us to be every-learning (curious) [2 Timothy 2:5; 2 Peter 3:18], to forgive others readily and repeatedly [Luke 6:37; 17:4] and to be without guile (innocence) [1 Peter 2:1; Revelation 14:5].

Sweet sisters, we would do well to learn from and imitate these characteristics of children. Let’s strive to be more childlike.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can comment here or write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Day 90 - 90 Days In Proverbs - Neighbor

Proverbs 14:21 [NKJV] He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.

The Hebrew word translated as “despises” means “to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant.” It is that last phrase that gets my attention because it seems to me to add another layer to what it means to despise. Surely, most of those of us who call ourselves Christians would not allow contempt or despising to take root in our hearts. But just considering someone to be insignificant? – well, that’s something else entirely.

In the English language, insignificant means “too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.”

Before I go into that further, let’s review Luke 10:29-37 and nail down the whole “who is my neighbor” thing. After the lawyer asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor,” Jesus responded with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. This segment concludes with the following: Luke 10:36-37[ NKJV] 36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" 37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

In short, Christians should consider anyone in need to be a neighbor. We should not ignore their needs, as several did in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, perhaps considering that person to be unworthy of our attention, concern or help.

How easy is it to assume someone begging on the street got there by their own bad decisions and are unworthy of our concern (or at least our money). How easy it is to harden our hearts because we have seen TV shows that expose some panhandlers as actually shysters. Even if we don’t want to fuel a drug habit or risk helping those really not in need, a small gift and a prayer with the beggar cannot go far awry. A bag of food or some warm socks or a hot cup of coffee on a cold morning would surely be appreciated. Alternately, rather than handing over items to the homeless, we can help the shelters and non-profits that take care of them.

Whatever we choose to do, it is clear that doing nothing is not an option for a Christian. No neighbor is insignificant or unworthy of our help. And, according to Jesus, anyone in need is my neighbor.

In Acts 10 and 11, we find the story of Peter and the sheet full of unclean animals. Peter explains the point that God got across to him with this dream in Acts 10:28 [NKJV] Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Sisters, for too long, human beings who are all – every.single.one – made in the image of God have been treated as common or unclean. Whether we are talking slavery or Apartheid or a cast system or oppression of ethnic or religious groups, unfair economic practices, prejudices, Jim Crow Laws of the South, etc. Some of these programs are no longer in play, but don’t for a second think that the human tendency to treat some groups as less than others is a thing of the past.

I have seen it, recently, within the Ecclesia. These practices and even these thoughts are an abomination to God.

No human is “common” to God. All are precious. Each one has the same potential to become a child of God. You too, sweet sisters. You are children of God. We must act like it.

So, my final words to you are these: You have the power of God behind you. You can do so much more than you think you can. Be prayer warriors for others. Go out and make the world a better place. Lift your sisters up and never, ever tear them down, though the world would try to pit you against each other. Love your neighbors as yourself. Champion the less fortunate. Take care of your neighbors – whether close or far, whether old or young, whatever race, color or religion they might be.

May God bless you all.

Prayer – Lord God, provider of all my needs, I pray that you will help me to see those in need as my neighbor, as worthy of my help, time and care. Help me to have a compassionate heart toward all my neighbors and show me where and how to best help and serve them. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 89 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Which way?

Proverbs 14:12 [ESV] There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

These days, we often say “trust your gut”. We say, “if something doesn’t seem right about a person or situation, don’t get involved”. That is good advice. But, when it comes to right and wrong, good and evil, we cannot trust our natural instincts to guide us. Human nature will often steer us wrong. Why? Because human nature, on its own, is selfish instead of selfless. Human nature, on its own, can be too easily led by the voices of Satan and this world he created. Human nature, on its own, can be too focused on “me first” or “if it feels good, do it” or any one of the other slogans of Satan’s war against humanity.

Isaiah 55:6-9 [ESV] has a warning for us about the pitfalls of trusting human reasoning: 6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The great thing about this warning is that it points out how much more compassionate God’s ways are than ours. When we forsake our own human-nature-led thoughts and actions, the way becomes open for pardon and compassion from God.

The entire Bible is an outline of the contrast between God’s ways and man’s way. Studying the Word helps us to see the difference between them.

However, there is also an overview found in Matthew 5 via the Beatitudes and especially the section from verse 33 on, where Jesus begins with “you have heard” and then flips to “but I tell you” and proceeds to contrast man’s thoughts on various subjects with Jesus’ instructions.

We know that studying and following these things get us to a new, godly mindset and actions because Jesus concludes with this:

Matthew 5:48 [NIV] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The guidance of Matthew 5, especially the “Beatitudes” that begin the chapter, can be a great help in moving me from trusting my own understanding toward having the understanding of God. The Beatitudes also promise us that we will be blessed by this new behavior.

If we listen to the guidance from this world that tells us that loving ourselves is the greatest love of all, we can be misled into actions that are not godly. This was the temptation that Satan used with Eve in the Garden of Eden, when he told her that she would be better off if she took the fruit and that God was trying to keep her from something she deserved.

Sisters, this way of self seems right at times. The words of Satan about putting self above others seem logical. But the way of God is one of love for others that is equal with love of self and of loving God beyond all else. Let’s not trust our human ways, because we know those are the ways that lead to death.

Let’s always trust completely and lean wholly on the mind, heart, words and Holy Spirit of God to lead us in the right way – the way to life.

PRAYER – Dear Father God, I know that human nature and reasoning will lead me astray. But I seek to put them aside and to be guided by your thoughts and words. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to guide me so that I think Your thoughts, so that I say Your words – words that are aligned with Your truth - and so that I do the works that are led by Your love and compassion throughout this day. In Jesus name I ask this. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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